This afternoon there was a satirical Short Story on radio about the launch of the iHole into the empty consumer-gadget market left by the break-up of Apple Corporation. As a pocket-sized black hole, its only function was to disposal of small objects; yet it immediately became so inexpressibly cool that it achieved vast global sales – Listen Again to continue (BBC Radio 4 on 28th October)…<\/p>\n
Which prompts the question: why is this competition offering global consumer goods as prizes whilst it seeks to promote a local sense of place, a Carbon Footprint calculator etc.? Is this a cynical ploy to confuse the public or hasten the end of the world as we know it?<\/p>\n
Well, No and No… for a start, the project is not nearly so ambitious. At the outset, the project team of organisers and sponsors decided to aim the prizes at technology-aware members of the public, especially to\u00a0 include young and young-ish entrants.<\/p>\n
So the Google tablet, the software items and the cash prizes are just a means to an end that fits with current values, starting with awards that people are used to and pointing to more local and personal values; in short, those of community and crowd-sharing.<\/p>\n
The competiton closes at end October, but if you’re quick you can display your 3D digital modelling skills – and feel good about it! A ‘sustainable Letchworth’ building or scene would be especially welcome.<\/p>\n
Web site with full instructions: http:\/\/competition.letchworthfestival.org\/
\nEmail address: competition@letchworthfestival.org
\nShowcase of 3D models so far (search on ‘Letchworth Herts’): http:\/\/sketchup.google.com\/3dwarehouse\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This afternoon there was a satirical Short Story on radio about the launch of the iHole into the empty consumer-gadget market left by the break-up of Apple Corporation. As a pocket-sized black hole, its only function was to disposal of … Continue reading